Fred McLeod has a simple message for all eligible voters for the Nov. 19 municipal election.
"Get out and vote, and not just vote, but get involved in the electoral process," said McLeod, the chief electoral officer for the School District 57 trustee election. "Whether it be school district, regional district or municipal stuff, if you don't involve yourself you have no right to complain."
There are seven seats available for trustees and seven candidates have so far been nominated, including incumbents Trish Bella and Valentine Crawford, as well as Brenda Hooker, Sharon Bourassa, Kris Benson, Tim Bennett and Betty Bekkering. If no more candidates come forward before the deadline next Friday at 4 p.m., an election will not be required.
"If we go from now to next Friday with no other nominees, and if there are no challenges, those people would be acclaimed as trustees," McLeod said.
Ballots will not be printed until after 4 p.m. on Oct. 21.
Nomination packages are available for pickup at the district office at 2100 Ferry Ave.
McLeod said the nomination list could change if some candidates are found to be ineligible. After the nomination deadline, people will have one week to challenge the names that will have been submitted and candidates can also withdraw their names from that list.
A criminal record could be a reason for disqualification. In the case of a school district employee, that person would be ineligible if they fail to submit a letter requesting a leave of absence for the period of the election. If elected, that employee is also required to resign his or her current position.
The same rules apply to city employees running for council or mayor.
Candidates in the 2008 municipal election who ran for office and did not get elected will also be disqualified if they failed to file financial statements. That list is available through CivicInfo BC.
McLeod, who served as a District 57 trustee from 2001 to 2005, is not sure if there will be an all-candidates forum for those nominated for election to the board. That would have to be spearheaded by parent advisory councils or any other concerned citizens group, which would be responsible for organizing any forum.
School District 57 oversees schools in Prince George, Mackenzie, McBride and Valemount.
